DIGITAL EDITION

EFI Acquires Raster Printers

(November 2008) posted on Fri Nov 07, 2008

Debuts Rastek brand.

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EFI has acquired the remaining interest in Raster Printers it does not already currently own (the company made its initial investment in late 2007). Once the transaction closes--expected in early December--the Raster Daytona brand of UV printers, which are targeted to mid-range customers in the display graphics market, will begin to be badged and marketed under the EFI Rastek brand name.

'The acquisition of Raster will allow us to expand our product line and offer a variety of price-point products, significantly increasing our addressable market,' says Fred Rosenzweig, EFI president. 'It will also allow us to further leverage our sales force and distribution channels, while solidifying our position as the leading provider of wide-format UV inkjet technology.'

Raster, founded in 2004, currently operates with a staff of approximately 20 employees out of its headquarters in San Jose, CA. After the close of the transaction, Raster will operate as a business unit similar to Vutek and Jetrion, under the brand name Rastek. Rak Kumar, president of Raster Printers, will stay with EFI as vice president and general manager of Rastek.

'Being part of the EFI group will help us deliver the highest-quality solutions and provide our customers with a portfolio of new, powerful products to assist in their success and profitability,' he says.

Raster introduced its Daytona H700UV 72-in. flatbed/hybrid printer with grayscale MEMS printheads at last year's SGIA show in Orlando. Also in the Raster roster: the x-in. Daytona T600 UV flatbed. Both printers will be marketed in new colors and lose the 'Daytona' tag when they gain the new Rastek badge.